Prosely the Pole-Vaulting Pronghorn

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http://www.journal-advocate.com/ci_18901887


Locals pen new children's book

'Prosely' aimed at older audience
By Callie Jones Journal-Advocate staff writer
Posted: 09/15/2011 10:56:21 AM MDT


Perry Johnson and Emily Singer hold up a copy of their new book, "Prosely the Pole-Vaulting Pronghorn," which he wrote and she illustrated. They will be selling copies of this book, as well as their first book, "Buford Biffolomew Bison Finds His Niche," at Sugar Beet Days this weekend. (Callie Jones/Journal-Advocate)
STERLING -- Perry Johnson and Emily Singer, author and illustrator of "Buford Biffolomew Bison Finds His Niche," are back with their second children's book, "Prosely the Pole-Vaulting Pronghorn."
"It's an exciting adventure filled with pronghorns, pheasants, wolves and humans," Johnson said.
The book tells the story of Prosely, an "industrious and intelligent" pronghorn. When pronghorns come to a fence they usually crawl underneath it on their belly, but Prosely gets tired of doing that and decides to find a better way to navigate under fences.
One day while on the plains with his herd he finds a sports magazine discarded by humans, next to the highway. The magazine has an article on pole-vaulting. Prosely wonders if humans can use poles to help them vault over bars, why can't pronghorns use vaults to get over fences?
"There are lots of twists and turns that follow," Johnson said.
His roommates are not to keen on the idea and eventually Prosely heads into town to take on the humans and compete.
Along his journey he meets a pheasant who has nothing good to say about pronghorns or Prosely's idea to pole vault over fences. He also meets a ravenous pack of wolves.
"Eventually his pole-vaulting skill becomes vital for the survival of his herd," Johnson said.
This book is not really a sequel to their first book; it's more of a spin-off. They do plan to have a sequel to "Buford Biffolomew Bison Finds His Niche" though, and it will be in the same format as the original with lots of illustrations. They also plan to write many other books.
Singer said that because Johnson only wanted a handful of illustrations for this book, it didn't take her nearly as long to complete them. She thought it was an "endearing and innovative story" and really tried to capture the actions and experiences of the characters. As she drew a pronghorn pole-vaulting, she thought about what a human looks like pole-vaulting and kind of combined the two. Johnson said he enjoyed writing this new book, which is for an older audience than their previous book -- it's geared toward fifth graders. This book is longer and mostly text; there aren't as many illustrations with it, and some of the vocabulary is slightly more advanced.
"Kids enjoy a good challenge," he said.
The book includes a glossary so children can look up the definitions of some the harder words that they might not know.
Johnson went through a couple drafts while writing. He said the story just sort of lent itself to older age groups as he was writing it, plus after the first book they wanted to target other age groups too. "I hope the book is well-received," he said.
Both of their books will be on sale at Sugar Beet Days, Saturday and Sunday. Regular price for "Prosely the Pole-Vaulting Pronghorn" is $8.99, but it will be on sale for $6.99 at Sugar Beet Days, and "Buford the Bifolomew Bison Finds His Niche" is regularly $15.99, it's more expensive because of the color illustrations, but will be on sale for $12.99. Both books are also available at Overland Trail Museum and online at amazon.com or BufordBison.com.